North East
Hay
Listings

Note to Buyers and Sellers!

Fraud Alert: Be aware that you may be contacted by fraud artists posing as buyers who issue you overpayments with cheques, money orders, or certified cheques. Before completing transactions or issuing refunds for overpayments, have your bank verify that the cheques or money orders you have received are valid. Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre web site for more information.

While most business transactions occur without problem, fraud by telephone and internet can be a serious problem. Problems may range from non-payment or non-delivery of goods through to requests for refunds before cheques have cleared the bank. Read our guidelines to ensure that your transactions are successful and learn to recognize fraud.

You must be aware of the risks of the market place. Buyers should look at feed before purchasing it, and sellers should make sure they receive payment before feed leaves their place.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Does Not Guarantee the quality, accuracy, or completeness of any information in the hay, straw or pasture listings, or the integrity of the buyers or sellers. It is provided solely As-Is.

While most business transactions occur without problem, fraud by telephone and internet can be a serious problem. Problems may range from non-payment or non-delivery of goods through to requests for refunds before cheques have cleared the bank. Read our guidelines to ensure that your transactions are successful and learn to recognize fraud.

Alberta Agriculture and Food in NO WAY GUARANTEES the quality of livestock or the integrity of the buyer or sellers. You must be aware of the risks of the market place. If need be, go look at the livestock before you buy to ensure you are getting what you paid for.

Telephone and on-line fraudIf you believe someone has attempted to defraud you, you can report it on-line to: RECOL - Reporting Economic Crime On-Line. Complaints can be filed on-line (http://www.recol.ca/) or by calling toll-free 1-888-495-8501. This service is administered by the National White Collar Crime Centre of Canada and is supported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Read our guidelines about making transactions (buying or selling). Most individuals you do business with are honest and trustworthy, but you should learn to recognize the signs of an individual who is not acting in good faith. Only you can protect yourself from those who are not.

If You are Selling

Be clear on who you are selling to:

are they another farmer or are they a broker?

if you are selling directly to another farmer then will they be hauling the livestock themselves or will this be done by a third party?

where will the livestock be delivered to? What is the amount of time the animals will be in transport? Any special handling requirements or costs associated with transport - who covers the additional costs?

Do not make assumptions - ask questions and make sure that you have the information you need.

Reduce the risk of non-payment:

get part payment in advance before the livestock are loaded out of your yard. This should happen when the buyer comes to inspect the livestock and the agreement to purchase is made.

the specific address that the livestock are to be delivered to (legal land description)

the payment amount

terms of payment - paid in advance, cash on delivery

Under the Alberta Sale of Goods Act all contracts for goods sold over $50.00 must be in writing.

Be prepared!

have a detailed livestock manifest completed with brands identified and send the completed invoice with the trucker

have the purchaser sign for each load (confirmation of delivery)

have the trucker bring back the payment (or the balance of the payment) for each load delivered

Do not wait

If a payment is not made on time contact the buyer immediately to get it resolved. At the same time stop any further shipments to the buyer.

If necessary you can take legal action to recover the outstanding payment. Please note that the maximum amount that you can pursue through small claims court in Alberta is $25,000. To recover an amount greater than this you will need to hire a lawyer and go through the Court of Queen's Bench.

If You are Buying

Be clear on who you are buying from

are they another farmer or are they a broker?

if trucking is included will they be delivering the livestock themselves? Is the shipping rate fair and reasonable?

Know what you are buying

make the trip to visually appraise the livestock and ensure that they are in good condition

make it clear to the seller that any load which is of a lesser quality than that which you agreed to purchase will be returned to them at their expense

be prepared to make a down payment at this time but do not put more than 50% down

confirm animal identification by video recording of livestock being purchased

The agreement to purchase must be in writing

detailed livestock description (breed, sex, age, weight)

seller's name, full mailing address & phone numbers

your name, full mailing address & phone numbers

the specific address that the livestock are to be delivered to (legal land description)

the payment amount

terms of payment - e.g. part in advance with balance on delivery

Under the Alberta Sale of Goods Act all contracts for goods sold over $50.00 must be in writing.

Do not wait

If you have put a down payment on your purchase but do not receive the livestock within the agreed upon timeframe then contact the seller immediately to get it resolved. If you are unable to resolve the problem you will need to put a stop payment on any other cheques to the seller so that you can limit your risk.

If necessary you can take legal action to recover the outstanding payment. Please note that the maximum amount that you can pursue through small claims court in Alberta is $25,000. To recover an amount greater than this you will need to hire a lawyer and go through the Court of Queen's Bench.